Background: MLN9708 is an investigational, orally bioavailable, potent, reversible, specific inhibitor of the 20S proteasome that has demonstrated antitumor activity in in vivo models of MM. We report safety, activity and pharmacokinetics (PK) of weekly oral MLN9708 in a phase 1 trial in patients (pts) with relapsed and/or refractory MM after full enrollment (NCT00963820).

Results: 60 pts (33 male, median age 64 yrs [40–79]) were enrolled, 32 in the dose-escalation phase and 31 to the expansion cohorts (11 RR, 10 btz-relapsed, 6 PI-naïve, 4 CZ; 2 RR and 1 btz-relapsed pts included from MTD dose-escalation cohort). Median time from MM diagnosis was 4.9 yrs (1.5–18.8). Median number of prior regimens was 6 (2–18), including btz, lenalidomide, thalidomide, and CZ in 83%, 95%, 52%, and 13%, respectively; 76% were refractory to last therapy (17% btz-refractory). At data cut-off (Nov 29, 2012) pts had received a median of 2 cycles (1–11); 5 pts remained on treatment. All-grade/grade ≥3 drug-related AEs were seen in 83%/52% of pts; common drug-related grade ≥3 AEs were thrombocytopenia (33%), diarrhea, neutropenia (17%), decreased appetite, fatigue, and lymphopenia (8%). 6 pts (10%) had drug-related PN (no grade ≥3). 5 pts discontinued due to drug-related AEs; 1 pt died on study due to an unrelated AE. By investigator assessment in 41 evaluable pts, responses included1 VGPR, 5 PR, 1 MR, and 15 with SD. MLN9708 was rapidly absorbed, with a terminal half-life of 4–12 days (supporting weekly dosing) and a proportional increase in plasma AUC with dose (0.8–3.95 mg/m2). PK data were similar across expansion cohorts.

Conclusions: Current data suggest weekly oral MLN9708 is generally well tolerated with infrequent PN, and shows activity in this heavily pretreated population with prior exposure to immunomodulatory drugs and btz.